Swimming device



Sept. 27, 1932. w- PlJAKQwsKl 1,879,468

' SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Jungs. 1931 2 sheets-sheet 1 fl- -J. l 7/ 9 7 Sept 27, 1932- w. PIJAKowsKl 1,879,468

SWIMMING DEVICE Ame@ June s, 1951 2 snee-,s-sheet 2l l .v ,Ii- Il ,l 7 @l v I v 99 9 /aa /oa Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES WLADYSLAW PIJ'AKOWSKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SWIMMING Dnvion Application led .Tune 8, 1931. .Serial No. 542,901.

consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and illust-rated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this C: application and in which like designating characters reer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, Y

Fig. 1 shows a person in the act of swimming in the water illustrating the manner of attaching the device to the swimmers body and further illustrating the manner of operating the device; l

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the present device;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; y v

F ig. 4 is a side view of means for anchoring the device to its base;

Fig. 5 is a. modified form of tensioning land anchoring means of the device to its ase;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of two portions of telescopically extensible rod with locking means therebetween;

Fig. 8 is a similar side elevational view showing a modified form Vof locking means;

Fig. 9 is a similar viewshowing another form of locking means;

Fig. 10 is a similar view with still another form of locking means;

Fig. 11 is an edge or front view of still another modification of locking means;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of a modified form of the propelling plate or paddle;

Fig. 13 is a fractional view of the paddle and the rod to which the same connects, showing the hinge connection therebetween;

Fig. 414 is a similar view illustrating an- 66 other hinge connection between the paddle and the rod, said connection being of the same type as that shown on Fig. 12; and

Fi'gplis a cross-sectional view through a pulley attachable to the swimmers leg adapt- 00 ing the device to be operable by the swimmers arm instead of a leg.

Referring in detail to the present drawings, there is shown therein base 16 attached to belt 17 which isadapted to encircle swim- 05 mers waist as seen on Fig. 1.

VMounted upon base 16 by means of nails, rivets or the like, 18is a U-shaped plate 19. Pivoted to each of the two free ends of said U-shaped plate 19 upon rivet 20 is arm 21, T0 eachof said arms 21 adjacent one of its ends is horizontally bent as at 22 in the direction towards each other and there-upon the ends of each of said arms 21 meet to form eX- tension 23 for receivingl thereupon tubular 75 member 24. The lower free ends of each of said arms 21 and adjacent their edges nearest to base 16 is provided with notch 25 afecting a hook 26 in each of said ends for attaching therewithin loop 27 of spring mem- 80 ber 28. A similar spring member by its loop 29 is anchored at base 16 by means of nails 30 or other similar means. Both of said spring members in each of spring devices cooperating with each of` said arms 21, are 95 adapted to receive coil spring 31, the ends of each of said Vspring members being bent as at 32, for the purpose of maintaining coil spring 31 in position within each of said spring devices. Said coil spring 31 is 9 contracted for the purpose vof normally exerting tension upon the bent ends 31 of each of said spring members 28 in each of the spring devices so that each of said spring devices may exert a pulling pressure upon 95 each of the lower ends of said arms 21.

Thus, the action of said spring devices maintains arms 21, extension 23 and tubular member 24 in substantially parallel relation with-pipe16. l

section.

.cludes .coils 48. locking device is adapted to rest upon one within said wings l is bolt its head 38 contacting with one face of one of Said wings 35. The other end of bolt 37 4is threaded to receive nut 39. Positioned upon said bolt 37 is a pair of coil springs 40V and 41,

. each having its outer ends resting upon plate 33 as=at 42. yTheotherends ofsaid coil springs 40 and 41 meet vsubstantially at the central portion .of bolt. 37 .and the inner ends 4of said springs meet there .andafi'ect extensions 43 to receive thereupon tubular member 24. It is observed that spiral of springs 40 and 41 wind in Vopposite directions, by virtue whereof both of said springs act uniformly and in unison. Said springs are further so arranged that said extension 43 made of two inner meeting .ends of springs 4() Aand .41 remains normally in parallel relation with plate 33 and base 16. When the tubular extension ,24 is angularly shifted with respect to base 16, which action will be hereinafter described, this shifting movement is accomplished aga-inst the .tension :of springs 40 and41, and conversely, when the pressure at tubular member 24 is eliminated,

which action of springs 40 .and 41 automatinormal original position.

Frictionally receivable at the other `end of .tubular member 24 and telescopically extensible therewithin is rod 44, which has substantially rectangular formation on cross- Said rod 44 at one of its edges is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 45 made transversely of rod 44 for .the pur- .pose which will be hereinafter described.

Adjacent the .end within which said tubumember isprovided with a .U-shaped clamp 46, tightened :by means of rivet `or screw 47. Mounted upon said screw 47 is locking vdevice formed out of a single wire which in- One ofsaid ends of the .so formed as toV exert tension upon end 49 .to hold the same in close .contact with the adjacent edge of tubular member 24 as well .as to drive arm 56 towards the adjacent edge of'rodj44- Said arm 50 is adapted to .spring within anyone-ofnotches l45 made in rod 44. In order to withdraw arm 50 from with- `the adjacent end of wire member 60.

in notch 45 the free end of said arm 50 is provided with loop 51 whereby the same may be manually grasped in order to withdraw arm 50 from within notch 45 when it becomes necessary or desirable either to extend rod 44 from within tubular member 24 or to further drive thesame within said tubular member 24. I

The modified form of the locking device for tubular member 24 and rod 44 as shown :on Fig. 8 includes similar clamp 46 and screw 47. There, however, wire member 52` is piv- -otallyv positioned upon screw 47 by being provided with a suitable loop encircling said screw 47. Coil spring by one of its ends is adapted .to contact with the adjacent edge of .tubular member 24 as at 53, while the other end of coil spring is transversely bent affecting transverse arm 54 resting upon the other end of wire member 52. member 52 is likewisetransversely bent to a'ect transverse arm 55 which is adapted to spring into one of notches 45. On manually exerting pressure at loop 56 of wire membgi' 52 the `other end of said wire member 52 with its arm may be angularly shifted against the tension of spring arm 54, and away from .the contacting edge of rod 44.

The locking device shown on Fig. 9 contemplates making wings 57 which are cut.;f"

out from the narrower edges of tubular member 24. These wings 57 are bent to assume parallel relation and to remaiii on the same plane with the plane of said narrower edges of tubular member 24. Rivet, bolt or screw .58 is passed through said wing 57 to receive thereupon tensioning coils 59 of wire member 60. By virtue of springy action of said tensioning coils 59 and of said wire member 60., adjacent tubular member 24 is adapted to contact with the adjacent face of said tubular member 24. A similar action is had at the opposite end of .said wire member 60 for driving the same towards the adj acentface of rod Said rod 44 instead of having notches such as notches 45 in the preferred foi-in of .rod 44 is provided with a series of apertures 6l made in the body of the rod for receiving therewithin lug 62 which is mounted upon Bi manually grasping at head 63 of lug 62 said lug 62 may be withdrawn from aperture 61 and against the tension of coils 59.

The locking device illustrated on Fig. 10

includes aA similarclamp 46 and screw 47 by means of which the former is attached to ltubular member 24. A double wiremember by its coils is positioned upon screw 47, each coil remaining adjacent the inner faces of free ends of clamp 46. One end 64 of the wire member contactini with the adjacent edge of tubular member l24. The other end of said wire member being formed into a U-shaped arm 65 of which the transverse portion is adapted to enter one of notches 46 of rod-'44.

springy nature, theU-shaped arm v65 is urged towards the adjacent edge of rod 44.-V The pivoted upon screw 47 and between the coils of the wire member. One end of said-lever arm 66 is formed into a'transverse buckle 67 encompassing and engagingl the sides of the U-shaped arm 65. The other end of said lever arm 66 terminates in loop 68 for facilitating manual operation thereof. On exerting manual pressure at loop67 -U-shaped arm 65-may be raised against the tension of its coils set upon screw 47 for lifting the transverse portion of said arm 65 from within notch 45.

The locking device illustrated on Fig. 1-1 is similar in its construction tothat shown on Fig. 10,and includes clamp 46 held in position `upon tubular member. 24 by means of screw `47. Ends 64 of wire member Vrest upon the adjacent edge of tubular member 24, coils 69thereof being set upon said screw 47," and the other end of wire member terminates' in similar U-shaped arm 65. Lever 66'is set upon screw 47 by itsloop 70. In this form of the `locking means the buckle 67 remains below the sides of U-shaped arm 65. On exerting pressure at thefree -endvof lever 66 buckle 67 is adapted to raise U-shaped arm 65 from its engagement with rod 44 within notch 45.

Although I have shown several forms 0f locking means between tubular memberf24 and rod 44, on Figs. 7 to 11, both inclusive, it is understood that various other locking devices .may likewise be'employed.- j

vReferring again to Fig. 2, the outer end of rod 44 carries a paddle for propelling water and includes a pair of substantially oval shaped plates 71 which are hingedly connected upon pintle 72, which, at one ofits ends is provided with head 73, and the other end thereof being screw-threaded as at v74 for receiving thereupon nut 75. VPositioned upon said pintle 72 and substantially at a central portion thereof there is clamp 76, the two wing portions thereof passing through suitable slots 77 formed in the adjacent portions of plates 71. Said wing portions of clamp 76 receive therebetween rod 44 which is positioned in the rear of said plates 71. Screw 78 passing through ends of said clamp 76 and nut 79 is adapted to rigidly mount said clamp 76 upon said rod 44, whereby said plates 71 are aiiixed to rod 44 and act as a paddle for propelling water as will be hereinafter described.

Aflixed by rivet 8O or by any other suitable means to one of plates 71, at the rear face thereof and adjacent its edge nearest to the hinge pintle 74 is one or more lugs 81, which extend in the path of movement of the other plate 71 whereby its further rearward movement may be limited. y

Positioned adjacent each end of pintle 7 is coil spring 82 with its ends 83 resting and plate 71 in an open-positionV shown on locking device further includes lever arm 66 the view` of :bearings againstthe Vfront facesfof kplates 71,

for the purpose of normally maintainin said VAttached to rod 44, ata point below said lower terminations of plates 71, by'means of lscrew 84 is eye 85 to which chain 86 is fastened by one of yits-ends.v .Said chain `in Fig. '1 is partially broken away in order not to obscure parts of thev device remaining beyond it; Y f

The other end of chain attaches :to stirrup 87` the horizontal portion whereof has set thereupon cork or any other suitable roller 88 to provide a foot rest. i f

Referring to the operation of the present device, on the backward stroke `of the swimmers leg rod 44 andtubularmember 24 will be angularly shiftedlagainst the tension of coil springs 31A or coil springs V40 and 41, as the case may be, to assume positionperpendicular to the body of the swimmer, as shown by dotted lines on Fig. 1. During' angular shifting ofsaid rod 44 and tubular member 24 lates71 will rema-inopen as illustrated on ig. 2, lugs 81 prevent further opening or backward angular shift-ingof said plates 71. Thus, said plates 71 moving against the. irresistencer of water will propel the'V swimmer forwardly.' I

` 'On the forward stroke of the swimmers Fig. 1. During` the return of plates 71 toits `inoperative position, plates 71 meeting the resistence of water from the opposite side' will close against the tension of .ends 82E-of coil springs 82. i'

To adapt the devicefor operation by swimmers arm yinstead of a leg, pulley 89, best -shownonFig 15, is provided. This pulley Ais mounted upon shaft 90 one endof which receives nut 91 and is countersunk within central slot92 made in one facelof said pulley 89. Said pulley 89 is adapted'for free :rotation upon said shaft 90. The other end of said shaftl30 is adapted to receive arm 93 which is held in position against the other face of `pulley 89 by means of head 94' integrally lformed with shaft 90. The other endl of arm 89, flanges 97 upon said pulley' 89 preventing easy displacement of said chain 86. Thereupon stirrup 87 is grasped at by swimmersV hand, andon forward stroke of the arm plates 71 will make angular shifting movement rearwardly against the water'for propelling the swimmer. forwardly. On rearward stroke'of swimmers arm the pressure :of rod 44 and tubular member 24 by chain .86' will be released and :saidplate 71 will-be allowed to dit() through the medium of loops 104.

assume aninoperative position shown by full lines on Fig. 1. Y Figs. 12 and 14 illustrate a modified form of the paddle and hin e connection vthereof ,with rod 44. In this orm the paddle comprises three plates,.tlie outermost two vbeing Y inged to the center one by means 0f hinges 99. Attached to the central plate 98 are lugs 100, portions of Which'extend beyond the adjacent edges of said central plate 98 to remain `in vthe path of movement of the outward Aof the paddle allows the folding of plates 98 `one upon the other when the device is not in use. The hinge connection between the paddle and rod 44 includes aI pair of Vwire members 101 provided with loops 102 which are arranged in parallel relation with the central plate 98. Said loops are adapted to be imv pinged between the. heads of screws 103 and the adjacent face of central plate 98.

The other ends of wire members 101 eX- tend beyond the adjacent edge of central plate 98 and'terminate in loops 104 which are on a plane perpendicular to said central plate 98. These latter loops are freely positioned upon screw 105 which passes through rod 44 and :remains in a transverse relation therewith.

Head of screw105 and nut 106 receiveable at :the other endof screw 105 hold said screw in position upon rod 44 and prevent loops 41 `from making any lateral movement. Thus,

said wire members 101 make an efiicient hinge This modified form of the paddle is adapted to bodily angularly shift upon screw 105 The opposite face of central plate 98 is adapted to bear against the reduced edge 107 adjacent the end of rod 44, for limiting further angular shifting movement of the paddle.Y

` The modified form of the hinge connection between plate 98 and rod 44, illustrated on Fig. 13, includes wire members 108 positioned on theopposite faces of plate 98. Loops 109 Y loops 109. These loops 111 are positioned Aupon screw 112 passing through rod 44.

While there is described herein a preferred embodiment 'of the present invention it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without devention as claimed. LWhat I claim as new is:

1. In a swimming device, a body encircling belt, a substantially ilat hollow member pivoted on said belt, resilient means normally maintaining said member parallel with the belt, a rod telescopically received in one end y of said member, a paddle carried by one end of said rod and including swingingly mounted spring iniuenced sections, a clamp carried by said member adjacent one end thereof, a locking element yieldably pivoted on said clamp and including a portion to engage and hold said rod fixed relatively to said hollow member in a given position, a ieXible element terminally connected with said frod, and a vstirrup connected with the free end of said flexible element to move said member against the influence of said resilient means.

2. In a swimming device, a body encircling belt, a substantially flat hollow member pivoted on said belt, resilient means for normally maintaining said member parallel with said belt, a rod having a flat portion telescopically received by said member and provided with spaced notches along one edge, a paddle carried by the outer portion of said rod and including swingingly mounted spring nflu` by the clamp, and an angular extension engaging one of said notches to hold the rod fixed relatively .to the member in any given position, a flexible element connected with said rod, and a stirrup carried by the free end of said element to move the member and rod Y as a unit against the iniiuence of said resilient means.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature. l

WLADYsLAW PiJAKowsKi.

parting from the spirit and scope of the n- 

